The Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) is one of the most popular collectible card games in the world, and has seen a massive resurgence over the past few years as many (including myself) have unearthed their original collections and found themselves knee deep in the hobby once again.
2023 was a great year for collectors and players of the trading card game as the ongoing Scarlet & Violet era has continually shaken up the meta with each expansion and introduced some fantastic cards to chase for your collection well into 2024. Recent expansions have introduced the Paradox Pokemon from the Scarlet & Violet games which add Ancient and Future-specific abilities to create brand new deck archetypes. Check out our full rundown below for the best products to pick up this year to begin — or continue building — your Pokemon TCG collection.
Temporal Forces Elite Trainer Box
- Model Number: 188-85717 (Walking Wake), 188-85658 (Iron Leaves)
- Dimensions: 7.4 x 6.5 x 7.4 IN
- Price: $59.99
- Age Rating: 6 and up
The latest expansion, Scarlet & Violet: Temporal Forces, infuses the TCG with even more powerful Paradox Pokemon introduced in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, including the ancient Pokemon Raging Bolt ex and Walking Wake ex, as well as the future Pokemon Iron Crown ex and Iron Leaves ex. Temporal Forces also brings back the popular Ace Spec cards — powerful Trainer cards that provide game-changing effects, but you can only include one in your deck, so you'll want to choose wisely! This Elite Trainer Box comes in two varieties: one featuring Walking Wake that includes a Flutter Mane full-art promo card, or an Iron Leaves variant that includes an Iron Thorns full-art promo card. Both boxes include 11 Temporal Forces packs, 65 themed card sleeves, 45 Energy cards, a coin-flip die, six damage-counter dice, status condition tokens, a player's guide for the Scarlet & Violet Temporal Forces expansion, and a code to redeem your digital items in Pokemon TCG Live.
Paldean Fates Premium Collections
Pokemon TCG Paldean Fates Meowscarada ex Premium Collection
- Model Number: 699-85636 (Skeledirge ex), 699-85635 (Meowscarada ex), 699-85637 (Quaquaval ex)
- Dimensions: 17.4 x 9.1 x 17.4 IN
- Price: $49.99
- Age Rating: 6 and up
The Pokemon Company kicked off 2024 with the release of Scarlet & Violet: Paldean Fates, a massive celebratory set that features nearly 250 cards to collect including more than 100 shiny Pokemon variants, as well as some of the most popular cards from the Scarlet & Violet era. Each of these premium collections features shiny versions of either Skeledirge ex, Meowscarada ex, or Quaquaval ex, as well as shiny variants of their respective evolution lines. You'll also receive a jumbo shiny ex card, as well as 8 Paldean Fates packs, a color-themed 3-card magenetic display case, and a code card to redeem everything in Pokemon TCG Live.
Scarlet & Violet 151 - Ultra Premium Collection
- Model Number: 290-85541
- Dimensions: 3.5 x 14.6 x 8.5 IN
- Price: $119.99
- Age Rating: 6 and up
While this set originally released in 2023, it's still one of the most popular sets for collectors as it features all of the original 151 Pokemon from the Kanto region. The Ultra Premium Collection for the Scarlet & Violet 151 set is a perfect item for collectors as it includes two beautiful Mew ex and Mewtwo ex foil promo cards, a gold metal Mew ex card, 16 Scarlet & Violet 151 booster packs, as well as a themed playmat, deck box, a metallic Mew coin, six damage-counter dice, two plastic status condition counters, and a code card that can be redeemed in Pokemon TCG live.
Scarlet & Violet 151 - Elite Trainer Box
Pokemon TCG Scarlet & Violet 151 Elite Trainer Box
- Model Number: 290-87315
- Dimensions: 7.4 x 6.5 x 7.4 inches
- Price: $54.99
- Age Rating: 6 and up
This special edition Elite Trainer Box may be hard to come by, but if you're able to get your hands on one you'll receive a foil Snorlax promo card, 9 S&V 151 booster packs, 65 card sleeves, 45 Energy cards, a coin-flip die, six damage-counter dice, status condition tokens, a player's guide for the Scarlet & Violet 151 expansion, and a code to redeem your digital items in Pokemon TCG Live.
Scarlet & Violet 151 Mini Tins
- Model Number: 210-87306
- Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 inches
- Price: $9.99
- Age Rating: 6 and up
The collectible Scarlet & Violet 151 Mini Tins feature one of 10 unique designs and include two 151 booster packs inside, plus a metal Energy coin. These tins can also be used to store cards, or displayed amongst your collection.
Charizard ex Premium Collection
- Model Number: 290-85323
- Dimensions: 1.6 x 9 x 9 inches
- Price: $39.99
- Age Rating: 6 and up
Everybody loves Charizard, and 2023's Charizard ex Premium Collection is still a great pickup as you'll get a gorgeous Charizard ex foil promo card, as well as foil Charmander and Charmeleon cards to go along with it. Additionally, you'll get a magnetic card protector that includes a base to show off your new 'Zard (or whichever card you please). There are also six booster packs from the Obsidian Flames expansion, 65 Charizard-themed sleeves, and a code to redeem your digital goodies in Pokemon TCG Live.
Paradox Rift Elite Trainer Boxes
- Model Number: 187-85415 (Iron Valiant) & 187-85417 (Roaring Moon)
- Dimensions: 7.4 x 3.4 x 6.5 inches
- Price: $49.99
- Age Rating: 6 and up
The Pokemon TCG's final expansion of 2023, Scarlet & Violet: Paradox Rift, introduced a number of Future and Ancient Pokemon that debuted in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, including the powerful Iron Valiant ex and Roaring Moon ex cards. There are two Elite Trainer Boxes, one themed after Iron Valiant and the other themed after Roaring Moon that include 9 Paradox Rift booster packs, a full-art promo card featuring either Iron Bundle (included in Iron Valiant ETB) or Scream Tail (included in Roaring Moon ETB), 65 themed sleeves, 45 Energy cards, a player's guide for the Paradox Rift expansion, six damage-counter dice, a coin-flip die, two condition markers, a code for Pokemon TCG Live, and a nice box to store everything inside.
Miraidon ex League Battle Deck
- Model Number: 290-85273
- Dimensions: 3.9 x 1.5 x 7.5 IN
- Price: $29.99
- Age Rating: 6 and up
One of the most popular decks in the Pokemon TCG standard format over the past year features Miraidon ex, as it's able to quickly build your bench with its Tandem Unit ability. While it lost some powerful tools after 2024's standard rotation, it's still a great framework to build around, and will likely still be relevant for years to come. This League Battle Deck contains a full 60-card deck that you can play right out of the box and combines the powers of Miraidon ex and Regieleki VMAX to overpower and disrupt your opponents. It also includes a deck box, six damage counter dice, one coin-flip die, two condition markers, an accessory box, a strategy sheet, and a code to redeem and play the deck in Pokemon TCG Live.
Chien Pao ex Battle Deck
- Model Number: 699-85242
- Dimensions: 7.5 x 1.5 x 7.5 inches
- Price: $9.99
- Age Rating: 6 and up
If you're looking to jump into the Pokemon TCG to actually play the game and are looking for a great place to start, these themed battle decks are a great place to start as it features a full 60-card deck that's playable right out of the box. One of the best battle decks released recently is the Chien Pao ex Battle Deck which features one of the current meta-dominant cards in Chien Pao ex paired with Baxcalibur to rain down cold damge on your opponent's Pokemon.
Where Should You Buy Pokemon Cards?
Pokemon cards can be purchased from most big box retailers, as well as many online retailers and local card shops (LCS). The best places to purchase Pokemon cards are from retailers such as Best Buy, Target, and GameStop, as many of them have implemented a no-return policy for trading cards, meaning you're never going to have to worry about someone else tampering with (or opening) card packs before you purchase a sealed item.
Online retailers such as Amazon and Walmart.com are fine for purchasing as well, although because of their lenient return policies, many have reported receiving opened or missing product, so buy at your own risk. If possible, it's always best to ensure the product is sold and shipped by the retailer to minimize your risk of tampered product.
Matthew Adler is a Commerce, Features, Guides, News, Previews, and Reviews writer for IGN. You can follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.
